With those words, expectations are set pretty high for the food at The Pub, but under the direction of the original Sweet & Savory Café and Bakery's acclaimed chef Josh Petty, it delivers at least surprisingly, if not "unbelievably" good food.

The menu at The Pub is varied, but thematically I'd say it leans toward traditional comfort food. With modern tweaks on Southern favorites and Southern ingredients subbing for standards in a variety of dishes, I'd describe the overall style as Southern fusion, reminiscent but not imitative of Grandma's cooking.

On this menu, the Whistle Stop Sandwich updates fried green tomatoes with a little aioli. The veggie burger is based on hoppin' John. The egg roll appetizer is filled with a duck confit and braised greens.

Yes, it's all very Southern and traditional, but with a twist that keeps the approach fresh and interesting.

For instance, I can't think of anything more boring-sounding than meatloaf, but the menu indicates that the meatloaf at The Pub includes ground veal, pork and beef, which piqued my interest. It's a rich, savory combination, with the pork taking the lead in the flavor profile. Served with traditional southern green beans – that means cooked with some kind of cured pork fat added – and some bacon-and-scallion-enhanced, skin-on mashed potatoes and gravy, this selection under the "All Day Plates" is a serious comfort food overdose.

Another unexpected twist came when I noticed that the mac ‘n' cheese du jour in the appetizers section was listed at "market price." So I'll bite: Why on earth is the mac ‘n' cheese market priced? The answer: Because sometimes it has lobster or other exotic ingredients that affect the price on that particular day.

When I tried it, the mac ‘n' cheese of the day was blue cheese-spiked pasta shells mixed with tender, pulled short rib meat. It was a bold and flavorful combination, and quite satisfying as a meal by itself.

I could go on about high-quality ingredients or the house-made sauces – the peach habanero barbecue sauce and such – but suffice it to say that the food is indeed a few steps above what you might typically find at a bar. Which brings me to a different subject.

What should make The Pub at Sweet n' Savory unique, as compared to the original Sweet n' Savory, is a more casual, "pubby" atmosphere to suit a theoretically more rowdy and rambunctious crowd, but it doesn't really look or feel like a bar or pub to me. There is a full bar, and a great beer selection and a bunch of TVs with sports on, and even some darts, but there is a dissonance between the stated atmosphere and the actual atmosphere.

It might be too nice. There are lovely, water-themed murals on the walls, some pretty, Chinese-lantern-style light fixtures and some beautifully decorated tables. Not very pub-like, but otherwise very nice.

There also seems to be some traffic flow and other issues that seem to be in flux in the floor plan, but those issues are both more complex and less obvious. I only mention any of this because I am fascinated by the combination of elements that make a place really work.

Finally, in my experience, the service at The Pub is excellent. The staff is positive, friendly, attentive and considerate, which is a key for any venue, and not that easy to achieve in a relatively new place. These are professionals.

Assuming that patrons will be wowed by the food, there will be time to work out the aesthetics and other issues so that the food, service and atmosphere combine to create an excellent all-around experience.

In the meantime, the great food and the beer list are more than enough reason for anyone to try it out, and enough reason for me to go back.

<p>The tag line at the Pub at Sweet n' Savory says, "There's no rule that says a pub can't have unbelievably great food." </p><p>With those words, expectations are set pretty high for the food at The Pub, but under the direction of the original Sweet & Savory Café and Bakery's acclaimed chef Josh Petty, it delivers at least surprisingly, if not "unbelievably" good food.</p><p>The menu at The Pub is varied, but thematically I'd say it leans toward traditional comfort food. With modern tweaks on Southern favorites and Southern ingredients subbing for standards in a variety of dishes, I'd describe the overall style as Southern fusion, reminiscent but not imitative of Grandma's cooking. </p><p>On this menu, the Whistle Stop Sandwich updates fried green tomatoes with a little aioli. The veggie burger is based on hoppin' John. The egg roll appetizer is filled with a duck confit and braised greens. </p><p>Yes, it's all very Southern and traditional, but with a twist that keeps the approach fresh and interesting.</p><p>For instance, I can't think of anything more boring-sounding than meatloaf, but the menu indicates that the meatloaf at The Pub includes ground veal, pork and beef, which piqued my interest. It's a rich, savory combination, with the pork taking the lead in the flavor profile. Served with traditional southern green beans – that means cooked with some kind of cured pork fat added – and some bacon-and-scallion-enhanced, skin-on mashed potatoes and gravy, this selection under the "All Day Plates" is a serious comfort food overdose.</p><p>Another unexpected twist came when I noticed that the mac 'n' cheese du jour in the appetizers section was listed at "market price." So I'll bite: Why on earth is the mac 'n' cheese market priced? The answer: Because sometimes it has lobster or other exotic ingredients that affect the price on that particular day. </p><p>When I tried it, the mac 'n' cheese of the day was blue cheese-spiked pasta shells mixed with tender, pulled short rib meat. It was a bold and flavorful combination, and quite satisfying as a meal by itself.</p><p>I could go on about high-quality ingredients or the house-made sauces – the peach habanero barbecue sauce and such – but suffice it to say that the food is indeed a few steps above what you might typically find at a bar. Which brings me to a different subject.</p><p>What should make The Pub at Sweet n' Savory unique, as compared to the original Sweet n' Savory, is a more casual, "pubby" atmosphere to suit a theoretically more rowdy and rambunctious crowd, but it doesn't really look or feel like a bar or pub to me. There is a full bar, and a great beer selection and a bunch of TVs with sports on, and even some darts, but there is a dissonance between the stated atmosphere and the actual atmosphere.</p><p>It might be too nice. There are lovely, water-themed murals on the walls, some pretty, Chinese-lantern-style light fixtures and some beautifully decorated tables. Not very pub-like, but otherwise very nice. </p><p>There also seems to be some traffic flow and other issues that seem to be in flux in the floor plan, but those issues are both more complex and less obvious. I only mention any of this because I am fascinated by the combination of elements that make a place really work. </p><p>Finally, in my experience, the service at The Pub is excellent. The staff is positive, friendly, attentive and considerate, which is a key for any venue, and not that easy to achieve in a relatively new place. These are professionals.</p><p>Assuming that patrons will be wowed by the food, there will be time to work out the aesthetics and other issues so that the food, service and atmosphere combine to create an excellent all-around experience. </p><p>In the meantime, the great food and the beer list are more than enough reason for anyone to try it out, and enough reason for me to go back. </p><p>Features: 343-2343</p>